Army opens test ranges to small companies to try to get weapons quicker to the battlefield
Summary
The U.S. Army is allowing small companies to use its test ranges to speed up the development and purchase of new weapons like missiles and drones. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said this will reduce delays that usually slow down military contractors and help get better weapons to soldiers faster.Key Facts
- The Army opened its test ranges in the U.S. and allied countries to private companies on August 6, 2026.
- Companies can request access through an online marketplace and get permission within 30 days.
- Testing new weapons can normally take 12 to 18 months, but this program aims to shorten that time.
- The program is designed to bring faster innovation to the battlefield amid changes in warfare, such as drone use by Iran and Ukraine.
- The Army wants to invite industry to work closely with soldiers to develop safer and more effective weapons.
- The first company to use the new program tested a cruise missile in Morocco.
- The initiative also addresses shortages in advanced weapons caused by recent conflicts in the Middle East.
- The Army plans to buy weapons that prove to improve soldier safety and effectiveness through this process.
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